Slow Laois take-up of €50 million high speed broadband

Thousands of Laois people could tap into high-speed broadband under the multi-billion euro national broadband plan but figures show that the take up slow.

National Broadband Ireland is the company contracted to deliver the €5.5 billion National Broadband Plan for the Government. It has just announced that over 2,500 Laois properties in the deployment surrounding Mountrath, Abbeyleix and Borris-in-Ossory, can pre-order a high-speed fibre broadband connection. 

A statement said 13,000 premises in Laois are included in the State’s Intervention Area. NBI says this means minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second connect to homes, businesses, farms, and schools. It says Laois will receive €49m of Government investment under the Plan.

However, the latest figures from the company says a total of 9,874 premises that are available to pre-order or order high-speed, reliable broadband across the Laois with 2,419 connections made so far. This is just about a 25% take up rate.

The company says it does not connect households or businesses to the broadband. Instead, people must sign up with a commercial operator which has access to the infrastructure. The company says some 66 Retail Service Providers (RSPs) have already signed up to sell services on the National Broadband Ireland network and 59 are certified as ready to start providing connections. 

Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: “We are delighted to announce that Laois premises near Mountrath can now order high-speed broadband services through the National Broadband Ireland network. This will enable users to experience the life-changing benefits that high-speed broadband provides.

“Presently, almost 10,000 homes, businesses and farms in County Laois can order high-speed fibre broadband to connect to the National Broadband Network. This includes almost 1,900 premises in Ballylynan and over 3,600 in the surrounds of Portlaoise," he said.

Sean Fleming TD, Minister of State, is pleased that more homes can access fast internet.

"High-speed broadband makes a huge difference for families, businesses and communities. People can work from home and carry out day-to-day business with access to faster internet speeds.

"This is very welcome news for Laois communities. The Government is committed to investing in County Laois and rural Ireland," he said.

National Broadband Ireland is calling on people to visit www.nbi.ie/map/and enter their Eircode to see if they are ready to connect. To see the retail broadband providers that are currently licensed to sell on the National Broadband Ireland network, visit www.NBI.ie/buy